NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 22 – At just 9 years old, Maya Aherwa, a brave and cheerful little girl who enjoys reading riddles, is fighting leukemia with unwavering courage.
Her mother, Nicole Chesoni, is on a mission to raise Sh 15.6 million for Maya’s leukemia treatment, including a bone marrow transplant in India.
Maya’s journey with leukemia began in April 2022 when she was diagnosed with the disease. Her mother, Nicole Chesoni, had survived cancer herself the previous year and initially thought Maya’s symptoms were a joke.
However, following severe symptoms like joint pain, headaches, and decreased appetite, Maya was admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital.
Blood work analysis revealed that she had 100 percent leukemia, leaving her family in shock.
Nicole Chesoni recalled the moment of Maya’s diagnosis, saying, “I went numb at that point. I questioned myself how I did not know about something so serious affecting my daughter, but I have learned that leukemia progresses slowly and does not show like other types of cancers.”
Maya showed remarkable resilience during her treatment in 2022 and achieved remission, with her leukemia dropping below 5 percent.
However, in August 2023, her illness relapsed, necessitating immediate Salvage Chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in India.
Despite their struggles, raising Sh 15.6 million for Maya’s treatment has proven challenging for the Chesoni family. They are now reaching out to well-wishers and family members for assistance, with the goal of securing at least 70 percent of the required funds to initiate Maya’s treatment in India. So far, they have managed to raise Sh 2.9 million.
The Chesoni family is planning a fundraising event on September 29, called “Dance for Maya,” to further boost their efforts to save their daughter’s life.
To contribute to Maya’s leukemia treatment, you can send donations through “MCHANGA PAYBILL NUMBER: 891300” with ACCOUNT NAME: MAYA. Your support can make a significant difference in helping Maya receive the life-saving treatment she urgently needs.
